1 Year Anniversary!

Today, 15 November 2013, is my one-year-anniversary of joining CrossFit Woodbridge. My journey’s different than what I’ve read in the media lately. I wasn’t a Couch-to-5k story. I wasn’t some elite athlete looking for an edge. When I first walked into CFW, I was running 30-50 miles a week, I had a few marathons under my belt, and I was a prize-winning, competitive Irish dancer. I was pretty flexible, I ate healthy, and I had a good engine. I wasn’t unfit.

But I wasn’t CrossFit. I didn’t even know what CrossFit was. When I went to CFW on Bring a Friend Day, with my longtime pal, Rachel-Rae, my only expectation was strength training. I walked into the box and saw: 1) an old-school gym, devoid of fluff, glitz, or machines; 2) the gym owner — a visibly fit dude who exuded a calm, disciplined energy and had a good sense of humor; and, 3) a dog.

Wait. What? A dog?

Cool.

Cool gym, cool coach, cool dog. The doors were open and the sun was shining. This looked like the perfect venue to get that strength training I needed to supplement my running.

[Laugh].

So I had my first WOD. I know what you think I’m going to say. This is the part where I say I learned just how unfit I actually was, that I got my ass handed to me on a platter, that I felt muscles I never knew I had …

But that isn’t really how it went for me. Don’t get me wrong, it was hard, but my first experience at CFW was less like torture and more like, well … you know that feeling you get when you first fall in love? That sick, sudden, stupid, painful, smack-you-in-the-face, breathtaking, juvenile, head over heels kind of love?

Yeah. That. That’s how I felt after my first WOD at CFW. That’s how I felt the day I discovered box jumps and barbells. I had never in my life touched weightlifting, had, in fact, never wanted to – until the day I did thrusters with Rachel-Rae. They weren’t even good thrusters. I used the 30# bar, with no plates. Dan had to keep fixing my elbows and squats, but he never once made me feel as weak and unskilled as I was. In fact, he, and the gym, made me feel strong. When we finished the WOD, there were all these people around, cheering.

Wait. What? People? Cheering?

Independent and introverted, I’d never been big on attention, especially while I was flinging sweat around. I’d loathed “group work” since high school. But, somehow, this was different. For the first time, working with other people made me feel energized instead of drained. Something, in the space of twenty minutes, had united me with the bar, the box, and my own possibilities.

I dreamt about thrusters that night. And box jumps. And that white board, with the WOD scrawled on it. So I went back. Then again, and again. I’d always get a little sick feeling in my stomach before I went, but I went anyway. I started running less, and going to CFW more. Soon, running supplemented my CF, rather than the other way around. Something had seriously changed.

Some call it an “addiction,” “a cult,” “the Kool-Aid.” I prefer to call it “the embrace” because addictions, cults and Kool Aid suck. But hugs are awesome. Every relationship starts with a good hug. And that, I realized, was what was different about CrossFit. It’s not just exercise. It’s a relationship. A relationship with fitness, a relationship with community, a relationship with yourself. Before, I was a runner. Now, I was a … see how it sounds stupid to say “a CrossFitter?” That’s because it’s too big for that.

If I need proof, all I have to do is check the facts. So I checked my journal. (Yes. I did keep a journal from Day 1. I’m a wee bit organized – just ask Dan about the poker chips).

Last year, on 15 November, we did a chipper type WOD that involved rope climbs, lunges, and several movements with the kettlebell. Below are actual quotes:

Now: “Today Dan challenged me to a double under contest. I strung together 123!”

Here’s some more cold, hard science:

~“My overhead squat was so bad, Lloyd made me use a PVC pipe for the WOD. After I said, ‘Lloyd, my OH squat was so bad I should have to run a lap around the building as punishment.’ He said, ‘Yes, ma’am. You should.’’

~“After 10 reps, a really buff lady came over and told me that the ball actually has to touch the wall, not just sail past the red line. Lloyd overheard and no-repped me. I had to start all over. I. Hate. Wall balls. (But I love Lloyd, he’s sweet even when he no reps you). I hope we do them again soon so I can get better.”

Ok, this wouldn’t be a story without talking about a big, non-CF benchmark. Last year I ran the MCM 10k. I did the same this year. I didn’t train. In fact, I haven’t been running much at all outside of CF WODS. I arrived late and was stuck in the back, so I lost crucial time trying to get around slower runners for at least 2 miles. Yet, I still beat last year’s time – and came in 40th out of 600 for my age division. (That’s good, right?)

So. There it is. CrossFit has obviously made me stronger, fitter, faster, and happier. I still have tons of work to do, but I hope I always have tons of work to do. I hope I always want to work at this relationship.

This post made me stupid happy, Lysi. Thanks for sharing it! And a HUGE CONGRATS on reaching your one year anniversary! I cannot believe it’s already been a year since we brought you and your beloved thrusters together. (Pretty sure I still hate ’em.) Love CFW, love my amazing friends! -Rae
PS-I’m STILL not old enough to compete in Masters – na na nee boo boo! 😛

I second your statement about not really training for runs but kicking ass. When I did my 1st half marathon, I had only been doing Crossfit for about 6 months. I didnt really run, the largest distance was 5 miles before the 1/2. I finished the 1/2, without walking, in 2hrs and 4 minutes. That is right about a 9 min mile. So yeah, crossfit makes you run better. My average 10K time before Crossfit was over an hour. My last 10k, which was a trail run and hilly, was 51 minutes. So yep.

Those are great times, Tassha. I didn’t put this in the post, but I was also nursing a persistent hamstring/periiformis issue during this run and felt my time sucked — but I still outdid last year, all thanks to CF.

Congrats on your one year!! One month in and I really relate to the journal entries and the story. I suck but I crave more. I feel constantly inspired by everyone in the class. Always trying to keep up with the girl in front of me. Quote of the week (from me): “I really admire your form.” Did I really say that? :/ Quote of the week (to me): “When are you gonna step up that intensity?” Love the people. Love the push. Thank you for sharing.

First timer, working on my third week at CFW, 40 YO male and have a these few observations. As a runner (mainly 5k to halfer) for the last 7 years I enjoyed being comfortable w/ my “sport” and at an ideal weight. I’m 5’8, always been stocky, lifted weights etc. but since running I’ve been in better health than ever and at a lower weight than ever (182lbs). Then 6 months ago happened, knee began to give completely during long runs while training for a marathon, plantar faciitis crept in on BOTH feet, moved (PCS’d b/c I’m military) w/ my wife and four kids, reported to a new job and in the DC that meant me getting up at 430 AM and getting home around 5, I’m sure you all know the routine. BY this time I’m 198lbs (yep Mr. Fatty McButterpants), miserable, hurting, and as stressed as I’ve ever been. Once we became settled here I tried getting back into running slowly, but the PF was too painful for my feet to bare. At that point, cut out working all together. My wife, the most supportive person I’ve ever met, encouraged me to try other things and new workouts. Knowing I had talked about Crossfit in the past, she found CFW and suggested we give it a shot. So for our first date w/out our four kids in six months we went by the gym and talked to Dan. I then came back the next day for the trial lesson w/ Nick, it was PIT-TEE-FULL. I shortened our after workout chat about the program b/c I thought hurling in the box might be a bad first impression. Came back the following Monday for my first workout and have loved it ever since. I feel like I’m dusting off muscles I haven’t used in twenty years. But most important, I don’t feel out of place standing next to people 15-20 years junior to me and obviously in better shape than I am. I enjoy the competition and atmosphere that makes you want to be there, looking forward to several months from now when I can begin to see and feel benefits of membership. I close with a funny line someone posted on Facebook the other day….”Crossfit is the opposite of Fight Club, the first rule of Crossfit is to never shutup about Crossfit”!